Every Race is an Adventure!

AM. Ran the Lindon Loop with Larry (say that 10 times fast). It was a beautiful morning. This was one of those times where the conversation was the focus and we just happened to be running while we were talking. Average pace was 9:16/mi.

PM. At noon I ran 5.1 miles in the heat with Tom on a modified Lake View route. We each carried a bottle of water and were glad we did. It was good conversation, as usual, and at one point caught ourselves running a little faster than we wanted to be. I had talked Tom into wandering some streets we don't normally go on and I think I must have sped up a little as I was trying to figure out how to get back on course without exceeding our 5 mile goal. Average pace was 8:11/mi.

I ran the 2000 N route with Larry and Wayne this morning. I was feeling pretty good this morning so I threw in a few fartleks. The first one was up the the second half of the big hill. I ran back and rejoined them then pushed again on the last bit of uphill and added a little distance after our normal turnaround. I figured that would give me a chance to chase to catch them on the downhill. I rounded the first curve and couldn't see them. I then turned the corner and still couldn't see them. I was just becoming suspicious when I passed a couple of bikers and they said something, apparently to people behind me. I turned and saw Larry and Wayne in stealth mode trying to catch me. They had hidden as I passed them. They never caught me as we hit the top of the big hill and I took the brakes off. I averaged 6:01/mi for roughly 3/4 miles down the hill. I ran up to rejoin them and had little desire for additional fartleks the rest of the run. At the end of the run Larry gave Wayne and me the challenge of going a little farther than him up a side street and then trying to catch him before our normal finishing spot at Slater's corner. It was too much distance to make up in so short a time, but it did get us to push hard during the end of the run.

Another very enjoyable run with the guys on a beautiful morning. It's runs like these that are the reason I'm a runner. Races and PRs and all that are great, but it's the daily runs that are the staple of my running diet. They keep me healthy and happy.

6.4 miles @ 8:38/mi average

AM. Larry, Wayne and I ran the water tank hills this morning. We added on some distance at the top to get to 3 miles (6 miles round trip). I charged the last hill hard, but most of the run was at an easier pace. I did try using what I'm calling the biker rule. Someone told me that when you're riding up hills on mountain bikes that whoever gets to the top of the hill first has to go back down and ride up with the last rider. I went back a few times this morning, but it was never very far. I may continue this practice. It will allow me to push as hard as I want and still be able to run with my buddies. Hopefully they'll do the same for me when they get up the hill first.

PM. Well, I ran with Tom in the lovely heat today as planned...well sort of as planned. First, Tom said he had overdone his workout this morning and was only going to go a couple of miles. That meant he would turn back after only a mile, but one mile with Tom is better than none. About a mile into the run I suddenly decided to turn back early with Tom, and I ended up running both miles with Tom. I suddenly decided to cut the run short when I stepped on an uneven surface and rolled my left ankle. Those of you who know me know that I seem to do this more often than most people. Based on experience, I felt the best plan was to head back and "run it off" on the way back. By the time we got back it felt good enough that I went the extra distance to get to two miles. I'd rate this a 3 on my 1-10 ankle sprain scale. It doesn't hurt much to walk on it. I'm icing it now. Depending on how it feels in the morning, I may back off a little the rest of the week, or maybe not, but I think I'll be good to go again for sure by Monday. Ah, it's the adversity in life that keeps life interesting and helps us better appreciate the good times.